𝑍𝐼𝐴𝑀 𝑂𝑁𝐸 𝑆𝐻𝑂𝑇𝑆☁︎

13. Things Liam likes to put in his mouth

Mature content ahead!!

Random things Liam likes to put in his
mouth...

1. 𝙿𝚎𝚗𝚜

Zayn wasn't one to hold a grudge, not really and yet it was hard to just let go of years spent battling. Liam may have entered the music industry before him but Zayn had made it, an equal, ready to battle once more. There was a buzz of excitement that sparked in him at the prospect of showing Liam that he was every bit as talented.

They'd barely spoken since Zayn had entered the studio for that first music together. Not quite ignoring each other, not quite engaging. The longer it continued the more awkward it became for Zayn. The Bradford boy felt a strange tension sitting within him but he wasn't even sure if Liam had noticed their lack of interactions.

He certainly didn't hate Liam, not anymore. Deep down he wasn't sure he ever truly hated him. It was more of a deep penetrating dislike that sat in the pit of his stomach, but not quite hate. Hate was a strong word.

It shouldn't have been such a struggle to start a conversation, Zayn really did want to be the bigger man in the situation, but he couldn't quite bring himself to do it. It didn't stop him watching though. His gaze landing on Liam during those music release interviews that seemed to go on just a little too long. And the more he watched the more he noticed one very specific thing, one very specific thing that he found more than a little fascinating.

Liam always, without exception, sat through the interview with a pen placed in his mouth. A pen so delicately pressed between those plump lips, teeth chewing down into the cap and the longer the meeting dragged on the more Liam would grind his jaw down on to it.

Zayn wasn't entirely sure why he found it so interesting. Perhaps it was the fact that

Liam has no need for a pen to begin with, it's not like they're making notes. Or perhaps it was the fact that he wanted to know if it was just pens that Liam likes to suck and chew and nibble. He had questions, so many questions.

It was Manchester where Zayn noticed
Liam anxiously searching his pockets. There were three more singers sat inbetween them and yet Zayn was sure he could hear the sigh as Liam gave up and slouched down in his chair. There was one very noticeable absence - no pen. Without much thought Zayn reached for his bag, routing around for the pen that he most definitely hadn't brought to every single interview just for this eventuality.

It was just a cheap blue biro, nothing special, just something he had lying around the house but as his hand grasped hold of it he felt a jolt of excitement.

Nudging the singer next to him he nodded for them to pass the pen down the line, a row of singers looking more than a little confused as the biro made it way towards its intended recipient. As Louis place it in Liam's hand Liam glanced across curiously before giving Zayn a huge grin and mouthing a thank you.

Zayn couldn't contain the smile that spread across his face when he saw Liam popping the pen in his mouth. His smile getting ever wider as Liam came to thank him after the meeting, it was the first time they'd properly spoken in years. It felt nice, familiar.

2. 𝚉𝚊𝚢𝚗'𝚜 𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚛𝚜

It all really started on their first date. Zayn holding out his fork and letting Liam get a taste of his dessert. There was a slight flutter in Zayn's chest at the sight of Liam leaning across the table to be fed. It felt nice to see Liam's softer side, the side that liked to be treated delicately. After that first date Zayn always made sure to order a desert when they went out for a meal. His trainer may not approve but he could never get enough of Liam's smile as he held the fork out to his lips. In the privacy of his own apartment Zayn soon realised there was no need for the fork at all.